EURO 2020 – UEFA European Qualifiers – Scotland vs Russia Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does Scotland vs Russia kick off? Friday 6th August, 2019 – 19:45 (UK)
Where is Scotland vs Russia being played? Hampden Park
What is the weather forecast for Scotland vs Russia? Cloudy, 13c
What television channel is Scotland vs Russia on? Sky have the rights to UEFA European Qualifiers matches in the UK, so it is worth checking the Sky Sports schedule
Where can I stream Scotland vs Russia? If the match is televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go
What was the score when the teams last met? N/A
THE TEAM NEWS
SCOTLAND
- Scotland face an uphill battle to qualify having lost two of their four matches in Group I, but victory here would draw them level on points with their second-placed opponents.
- Defenders Grant Hanley and Liam Palmer have withdrawn from Steve Clarke's squad due to injury, with David Bates and Mikey Devlin drafted in as their replacements.
- Liam Cooper is therefore likely to partner Charlie Mulgrew in the centre of defence, while there are recalls for experienced duo Robert Snodgrass and Steven Naismith plus a first call-up for goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray.
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Marshall; O'Donnell, Mulgrew, Cooper, Robertson; McGregor, McTominay, McGinn; Forrest, McBurnie, Fraser
Unavailable: Tierney (Injured), Hanley (Injured), Palmer (Injured), McKenna (Injured), Findlay (Injured), Souttar (Injured)
Doubtful:
RUSSIA
- Russia have won their last three qualifiers, scoring 14 goals without reply, to cement their position in second place in the standings.
- Midfielder Anton Miranchuk is out after suffering an injury in action for Lokomotiv Moscow last weekend, joining his brother Aleksei on the sidelines, so Ruslan Kambolov has been called up to the squad.
- All the other players who started against Cyprus in June are in the squad but Anton Shunin, Yury Gazinskiy and Alan Dzagoev are unavailable because of injury.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Guilherme; Fernandes, Semenov, Dzhikiya, Kudryashov; Ozdoev, Zobnin; Ionov, Golovin, Cheryshev; Dyzuba
Unavailable: Shunin (Injured), Anton Miranchuk (Injured), Aleksei Miranchuk (Injured), Gazinsky (Injured), Dzagoev (Injured)
Doubtful:
THE PREDICTION
Scotland have won their last five competitive matches on home soil, which will give them heart going into this crucial clash. Russia will provide tough opposition, though, and given their recent goalscoring exploits plus the hosts' injury issues in defence, both teams scoring looks likely.
